Cindy swore the howling winds got stronger the instant the house was thrown into total darkness. The winter storm was not letting up and now she had no electricity. She knew from experience the old house would cool down quickly, and then stabilize at some ridiculously cold temperature.
She fumbled in the kitchen for the candles and matches she stored just for this occasion. She placed one lit candle in the family room and another in the living room. Later, she'd take one to the bedroom with her.
It was times like this the forty one year old woman almost missed her ex-husband—the only time. The alcoholic womanizer made a good salary, but that did not make up for the abuse she took from him. She'd made it through other storms without him and she'd make it through this one.
Cindy wrapped a comforter around her and sat on the couch, prepared for the long, cold night ahead.
Without the TV to occupy her mind, Cindy allowed all her demons to resurface. At the head of the list was her failure in the three years since her divorce to find and keep a good man. She liked to blame it on the fact there weren't any, but in reality she knew she was an attractive, smart woman who should have no trouble finding somebody.
She worked out religiously to maintain her figure; her hair was professionally styled (thanks to the alimony checks); and, she wore the latest fashions. Still, no serious relationships had formed. Cindy wasn't above flirting, either verbally or by what she wore, but nothing worked.
Her brief journey into despair was interrupted by a flash of light in the family room window. The only thing that could cause that, Cindy knew, was a car in the driveway. She bolted from the couch and pulled back the curtains just enough to let her see out.
Through the blinding snowstorm she thought she recognized her son's car. Only when he got out and began walking toward the front door did she know for sure it was Kevin.
Cindy rushed to the door and had it half open before Kevin could knock. He smiled as he entered, stomping his feet and shaking his coat to rid them of the wet snow.
"What are you doing here?" Cindy asked, pushing the door shut against the wind.
"Should I leave?" Kevin said.
"No! I just didn't expect you in THIS," Cindy said in reference to the awful weather.
Kevin took off his coat and hung it on the knob of a closet door. He brushed any remaining snow out of his hair.
"I have a portable generator in the trunk, and a space heater," he told his Mom.
"Kevin! I love you!"
Cindy gave him a hug and kiss, and led him into the family room.
At twenty years old, Kevin was caught between still trying to please his Mom and separate from her to create a life of his own. He had dropped out of college, but had a decent paying job that allowed him to buy a small condo.
Even in the dim candlelight, Cindy could make out the familiar features of her handsome son. Unlike herself, Kevin needed a calendar to keep track of his many dates. She was glad for him.
"Can you believe this storm?" she said.
"It's the worst I can remember for a long time," he confirmed. "I think I'll go out through the garage to get the stuff. I can already feel the house getting cold."
"I'd make you something to eat but I can't," Cindy told him.
"It's OK, Mom. We'll be fine."
Ten minutes later, the generator was on and the space heater was spitting out just enough heat to make the room bearable. The small amount of extra light it provided was equally appreciated.
Kevin and Cindy sat on the couch in relative comfort and talked, something they did far too little of. Kevin was beyond the age of idolizing his very pretty mother, but her looks still had an effect on him. Perhaps, even a forbidden effect that he was afraid to acknowledge.
In the dim light, her blue eyes sparkled. Her turned up nose and curvy lips had a more youthful look than her true age. Kevin often tried to dismiss his attraction to her well-formed figure, but especially now when she was in need of his help.
Cindy struggled with similar urges for somewhat different reasons. At her age, she could better handle the idea of being attracted to her son. But hers was brought on more by the fact that she was alone with a man who could provide for her. Yes, there were sexual undertones, but they were combined with a mature requirement for companionship.
Cindy was tired of being lonely.
In the midst of their conversation, the sound of a snowplow outside barely caught their attention. It was to be expected on such a night and they talked for another half hour.
Finally, Kevin said he'd better get back and Cindy once again felt the pang of loneliness. She tried to delay his leaving by asking him to move the generator and heater into the bedroom, which he did. But eventually she watched him walk out the door to his snow-covered car.
It only took her a few minutes to undress and put on a robe. The idea of sleeping in it sounded good to her in the still-chilly bedroom.
Cindy was in the hallway on her way to make sure she had blown out all the candles when she heard a knock on the front door. She stopped in her tracks. Cindy crept to the window and looked out as she had before. A car was at the end of the driveway. Was it Kevin's? She couldn't tell.
Cindy cautiously unlocked and opened the door a crack. It was him.
"What happened?" she asked.
"I'm stuck," Kevin said timidly. "I thought I could make it through the pile left by the snowplow. But now I'm in far enough I can't get out."
He was inside the house at that point and Cindy closed the door.
"Is the car OK where it's at?" she asked.
"Yeah. It's fine. I'm still in the driveway and nobody would be driving through that pile, I hope."
They looked at each other for an instant.
"Is it OK if I stay here tonight and finish digging it out tomorrow?" Kevin asked.
"Of course it is," Cindy said cheerfully. She tugged unconsciously on one side of the robe to close it a little tighter around her body. "Come on in. I'll get the candle lit again."
Soon, the room was back to the dimly lit state it was in earlier, minus the heater.
"You're going to freeze out here," Cindy said.
"Nah. The comforter is enough."
"I can get you another blanket," Cindy said.
